12night/13days special arrangement
Group size: minimum 2 person
Day 01: Arrive in Delhi and transfer to hotel. Check-in and check-out timings
are always 1200 hrs noon. Morning visit Raj Ghat & Shanti Vana - the cremation
sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Jama Masjid and drive past Red
Fort and Chandni Chowk. Afternoon visit Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek
in 1199, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch), Lakshminarayan Temple
- a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House, Parliament House,
Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place shopping centre. Overnight
Delhi.
Day 02: Drive to Mandawa. Rest of the day visit the Shekhavati villages of
Dundlod, Mandawa, etc. Mandawa was founded in 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and
is still the home of his descendants. Mandawa houses a collection of armories,
costumes of ancestors, canons from 1820, ancient coins, numismatic collection
and many other interesting items preserved in a museum. The whole area of Shekhavati
has beautiful frescoes, havelis & mansions and is called the open air gallery.
Overnight Mandawa.
Day 03: Drive to Bikaner. Afternoon tour of this desert city. Bikaner is bolstered
by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples
and a mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh, the fort is distinguished by its long
range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs.
An enormous arched doorway leads to the Joramal Temple. The royal chapel is
Har Mandir where royal weddings and births were once celebrated. After the
visits, continue to Gajner which is about 30 kms away from Bikaner.
Day 04: Drive to Jaisalmer. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Jaisalmer.
Day 05: Morning visit Jaisalmer. Visit the Fort, bazzars and the old mansions
known as "havelis". People still live in these ancient buildings
dating from 12th to 15th century. Every house has exquisite carvings and filigreed
work. Overnight Jaisalmer.
Day 06: Morning drive to Jodhpur. Afternoon visit the Meharangarh Fort, situated
on a low sandstone Hill, including Moti-Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant
Thada, an imposing Marble Memorium built in 1899 and the museum located in
the Umaid Public Gardens. Overnight Jodhpur.
Day 07: Morning drive to Udaipur visiting Ranakpur Temples enroute. Ranakpur
- 98 kms from Udaipur, the Jain Temples built in the 15th century are situated
in the lovely valley of the Aravali. Its surrounding is quiet and picturesque.
Ranakpur has grand structures and beautiful sculpture. There are 1444 pillars
in the temple and none of them are similar. The magic of light & shade
is really awe inspiring. Surya Temple and other. Jain Temples are side attractions.
Overnight Udaipur.
Day 08: Morning tour of Udaipur. Visit the city palace, Jagdish Temple, drive
around Fatehsagar Lake, Sahelion ki bari (Queen's resort for her friends) and
Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk art museum). Afternoon free. Overnight Udaipur.
Day 09: Drive to Ajmer/Pushkar. Afternoon visit the Tomb of the Sufi Saint,
Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, the Dargah Sharif. The city was founded by the Chauhan
ruler, Aiaipal, during the 11th century & is dominated by the Taragarh
Fort built by Prithviraj Chauhan. In Pushkar, visit the holy Lake and also
the famous Brahma Temple. Pushkar is one of the holiest places for Hindus.
Overnight Pushkar.
Day 10: Drive to Jaipur and check in at hotel. Overnight Jaipur.
Day 11: Morning visit the Amber Fort - the ancient capital of the State. Visit
the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors. Afternoon
tour of Jaipur. Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan was given a colour coat of
pink a century ago in honor of a visiting Prince. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh,
the notable astronomer, this city is 260 years old. Visit Maharaja's City Palace,
the Observatory & Ram Niwas Gardens. Drive past Hawa Mahal & through
the pink rose residential & business areas. Overnight Jaipur.
Day 12: Drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri enroute. Fatehpur Sikri is 40
kms from Agra and built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years
due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid,
Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces. Overnight Agra.
Day 13: Morning visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Moghul Emperor
Shahjehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains.
Later visit the Agra Fort containing the Pearl Mosque, the Halls of Public
and Private Audience. Also visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daullah built by Empress
Noorjehan in memory of her father. (Taj Mahal close on Fridays) Later drive
to Delhi and transfer to the airport to board a flight for onward journey.
Tour cost: 498 per person [Standard Hotel Based]
Cost includes:
Room with full breakfast in all cities excepting in Mandawa
where dinner is also included, Presently applicable taxes, Transfers and tours
by private chauffeur driven air-conditioned Ambassador or equivalent cars,
Assistance.